Chapter 21: Mom I'm a…
Renée had been jumpy all day, and her nerves had only kicked into overdrive when she received a text from Bella saying she would be home in less than an hour. She hadn't seen her daughter in over three years, and it had been around a year and a half since Bella had uprooted her entire life and begun traveling around the country, seemingly going wherever the wind took her. Renée had been so worried about Bella at first when she started her walkabout, but it soon became apparent that Bella could, in fact, handle that sort of lifestyle. This surprised Renée greatly, as her daughter had not seemed the type growing up.
As she flitted around the kitchen, Renée attempted to bake some cookies, though cooking was never her strong suit. The kitchen was now filled with a slightly burnt aroma, and she wondered if she had added too much baking soda or if she had set the oven temperature too high. Again. She looked at the clock, realizing she had no time to start over. Maybe Bella wouldn't notice the slightly charred edges.
She hummed to herself, trying to calm her nerves. Ever since Bella said she was coming home a few days ago, Renée had become a ball of energy, tackling everything like a whirlwind, her hands constantly moving from one task to another. Renée's nervous energy was now off the charts. She wanted everything to be perfect, even though she knew Bella wouldn't care if the house wasn't spotless or if her cookies were a bit overdone.
Her thoughts drifted to the past few years. Bella had always been such a homebody, preferring the comfort of a book over any type of excitement or adventure. Renée never expected her daughter to embrace such a free-spirited lifestyle. It was like Bella had discovered a part of herself that Renée had never seen before. She smiled at the thought, proud and a little envious of her daughter's courage to change her life. For the past year, Bella had been doing things and going places that Renée had only dreamed of doing.
She glanced at the mismatched decorations she had put up to welcome Bella home, many of which she had picked up at the local art festival last month. She quite liked them and hoped Bella would as well. For about the millionth time, Renée's mind wandered to what Bella would be like now. What stories would she have to tell of her travels? Had she changed her looks? She hoped Bella hadn't cut her long wavy hair; it had always been so beautiful. Had she picked up any new habits? Had her tastes changed? Maybe she would enjoy her slightly burnt cookies now.
As the minutes ticked by, Renée found herself pacing, her excitement building. She hoped she could keep it together when Bella walked through the door. The anticipation was almost too much to bear. She caught a glimpse of herself in the hallway mirror. She did not like seeing the serious face in the reflection, so she made a silly face, sticking out her tongue. That helped lighten the mood.
Taking a deep breath, she decided she needed a glass of wine. Anything to help take the edge off, as she didn't want to come off too hyper when Bella showed up.
Repeatedly, Renée had asked Bella to come home, each time getting the same response: that she wanted to keep traveling, and then after a year, the vague promise of "eventually, but not yet." Renée had grown accustomed to the longing in her heart, a constant ache of missing her daughter. But finally, whatever magic needed to happen, a miracle had occurred, and Bella would soon grace her doorstep once again.
Renée could not wait. She hoped she would be able to convince Bella to stay for at least a while. Bella had been non-committal about the length of her visit, and that uncertainty gnawed at her. She wanted to make the most of every moment they would have together.
All too soon, Renée heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling up outside. That must be her. She quickly put her wine glass down on the coffee table and rushed to the door, swinging it open with a burst of excitement. The bright afternoon sun hit her straight on, and she had to put her hand above her eyes for a moment to get accustomed to the glare.
A cab was idling by the curb, its engine humming softly. Renée's breath caught in her throat as the rear door of the cab opened, and Bella stepped out. Her heart swelled with emotion, and a grin spread across her face, wide enough to hurt. She was here, and she was okay. Bella started walking up the walkway, each step bringing her closer to finally being home.
But as Bella got closer, Renée's smile started to falter. Something was wrong. That was Bella, but… Renée was very confused. Bella came right up to her. "Hi, Mom," she said, her voice edged with nervousness.
Renée didn't know what had happened, but this was her baby. She rushed to Bella, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug, and Bella hugged her back just as tightly. As Renée embraced her daughter, she noticed many things all at once, her mind racing with confusion.
Bella was cold, very cold. It wasn't the kind of chill that one might have after being outside on a cold day; this was a deep, unnatural cold. Her body felt different too, more solid and unyielding. Renée couldn't quite describe it, but Bella's embrace lacked the softness she remembered.
There was something else—Bella had grown. Renée had always been a few inches taller than her daughter, but now they stood eye to eye. She pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on Bella's shoulders, and looked at her more closely. How were all these things possible?
But all those changes were the least of her questions. Bella looked different. She had always been an attractive girl, growing into a beautiful young woman by the time she departed for college, but the person now standing before her had somehow transformed into the most stunning woman she had ever seen. Bella's face, while still recognizable, had an almost otherworldly quality to it. Her features were flawlessly symmetrical, her skin smooth and luminous. Her eyes, once a warm brown, now seemed to hold a depth that was both captivating and unsettling.
Her body... perfection was a word Renée wouldn't throw around lightly, but it was the only way to describe Bella's physique. Every curve, every line, seemed to be sculpted with precision. She looked like a work of art, impossibly perfect in every way. Renée's mind struggled to process the sight before her.
What had happened to her? The only thing she could think of was plastic surgery, but she knew that was impossible—not only because of the dramatic nature of the changes but also because Bella would never do such a thing.
Renée finally lowered her arms, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. Bella still had a smile on her face, though it seemed tinged with nervousness. Renée finally found the ability to speak, her voice barely above a whisper, "Bella?"
Bella nodded, her expression softening. "I know, Mom. How about we go inside and I'll tell you everything? As you can see, a lot has changed."
Nodding, Renée turned and motioned for Bella to go first, her thoughts a mix of confusion and concern. The warm afternoon sun cast long shadows as they stepped inside, the familiar surroundings of the living room offering a stark contrast to the surreal reality of the moment. The decorations Renée had put up for Bella's homecoming seemed almost out of place now, like remnants of a simpler time.
Bella settled onto the sofa, her graceful movements only adding to Renée's sense of disorientation. The light streaming in from the windows highlighted the flawless texture of Bella's skin, which somehow looked even paler now, making her appear almost ethereal. Renée, always the good host despite her turmoil, asked, "Would you like anything to drink?"
Renée watched Bella's smile broaden, almost as if she were in on some joke but wasn't saying. "No, thanks. I'm really not thirsty right now. Sit, Mom, please."
Renée sat down next to Bella, the familiar feel of the cushions under her a small comfort amidst the swirling confusion. Renée noticed Bella looking around the living room, her eyes lingering on the decorations, the photos on the mantle, and the little knick-knacks that made the house a home. It was as if Bella was reacquainting herself with a place that was both familiar and strange at the same time.
Finally, Bella focused back on her, her expression serious but warm. "I know you must have a lot of questions, and I promise to answer all of them. You are the first person I'm going to talk to about this, and I don't really know how to say everything right. There's just so much I've been holding in for these past 18 months. Please bear with me, and I will try to get everything out. Okay?"
Renée nodded, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and concern. She reached out and squeezed Bella's hand, once again startled by the coolness of her daughter's skin—a stark reminder that something had changed. "Okay, sweetheart. Take your time."
Renée watched as Bella composed herself, her eyes flickering with emotions Renée couldn't quite decipher. Finally, Bella began to speak. "Okay, well, it all started the night of my 20th birthday. I was okay after the breakup with David, maybe a little upset I didn't have a boyfriend anymore, but that's not really important to the story. Stacy had broken her foot earlier that day, so I went out alone to a bar in Boston to celebrate my birthday. That's where I met a man. He said his name was James, and he seemed really nice. One thing led to another, and he was taking me back to his hotel room. But I never got there. At some point along the way, I blacked out."
Renée gasped, her heart tightening with fear. She had heard stories like this, and the possibilities terrified her. She prayed nothing unwanted had happened to her daughter. Bella's voice was calm, but Renée could sense the weight behind her words. She forced herself to push her worries to the back burner, reminding herself that Bella was sitting in front of her, alive and okay.
"Now this is where the story gets weird, and I'm not entirely sure if I'm remembering it right, but I think I am," Bella began, her voice steady but laden with the weight of her memories. Renée leaned in closer, hanging on every word, the living room around them fading into the background.
"I woke up in the forest, and James was there, along with a woman. I've since come to the conclusion that the woman was most likely his girlfriend or his wife, but either way, it doesn't matter because she was quite insane. She made so many threats towards me." Bella's eyes darkened as she recalled the woman's menacing words. Renée felt a steely resolve, a hardness emanating from her daughter that she had never seen in her before. Bella continued, "She told me she was going to rip my head off and throw it in a pit that she was making James dig. She snapped my leg in two like it was nothing. I'm almost positive she bit me, but by that point, I was so scared and in so much pain from my leg that it's hard to remember anything clearly."
The room seemed to close in around Renée as she listened, her heart aching for her daughter. The sunlight streaming through the windows now felt too bright, too cheerful for the dark story Bella was recounting.
"Oh, baby!" Renée's voice broke with emotion, but she quickly stifled the sob threatening to escape. She wanted to cry, to reach out and hold Bella close, to take away the pain she had endured. But Bella held up her hand, stopping her.
"Let me get this out, Mom. Believe it or not, this is the easy part of my story. It will get a lot worse all too soon." Renée nodded, her heart heavy, and Bella continued. "That was when the true pain started. It felt like I was burning alive in hell itself, and the pain went on and on for what felt like an eternity. And when I finally did wake up, the pain was gone, but I had awoken to a new hell. The world was on fire, literally. Everything was burning, and it looked like I was at the center of a nuclear bomb that had just gone off. James and the woman were gone. I have no idea where they went or what happened while I was unconscious and writhing in pain."
Renée's eyes widened in horror as she listened. Bella didn't stop for her to have a breakdown and plowed right on with her story.
"I don't know if you'd remember, but do you recall the news of the botched terrorist attack in Massachusetts?" Renée thought for a moment. She did remember hearing about it. It had happened the same day that Bella had called after her disappearance. She had just been so happy that Bella had been alright at the time that the other news had faded into the background. She nodded slowly, her throat tight.
"Well, that was what I woke to. I was smack dab in the center of the explosion," Bella continued, her voice steady but filled with a quiet intensity. "The forest around me was ablaze, trees reduced to charred skeletons, and the air was thick with smoke. The ground had somehow melted all around me. It was truly like waking up to a nightmare."
Renée was shocked. Looking at Bella and what she had heard so far, she had a hard time finding the right words to say. Her mind raced, trying to comprehend the horrors Bella was describing. Finally, she uttered, "How did you survive?"
Bella smiled, a hint of irony in her expression. "That's the kicker. I have some pretty good guesses, but I don't know for sure. Those initial minutes were so confusing. I think I'm going to skip ahead and tell you some things now. Things that will be hard for you to hear, but I want to make it clear that you're perfectly safe. I would never hurt you, okay, Mom."
Renée nodded, her confusion deepening. Why was Bella saying these things? Of course she would never hurt her.
Bella took a deep breath, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Mom, I don't know how to ease into this, so I'm just going to say it. I'm not really human anymore."
Renée raised her eyebrows at Bella, a mixture of confusion and disbelief clouding her expression. What was she talking about? Bella continued, sensing her mother's skepticism. "I don't know what I am. I have some educated guesses, but I just don't know for sure. I see that look you're giving me. I know what I'm saying sounds crazy, so I'll just say it. I'm pretty sure I'm a vampire."
Renée looked at her daughter, her mind reeling. Everything Bella was saying seemed so insane, so impossible. Finally, without knowing what else to say, she asked, "Okay, tell me. Why do you think you're a vampire?"
Bella smiled, but it was more of a 'why me' smile. "Well, when I woke up, I quickly noticed I was different, and I'm not just talking about my physical appearance—I hadn't even looked in a mirror yet. I'm talking about changes in what I could do. I don't really know how to explain the level of the changes, Mom, but imagine all of a sudden getting Superman-level abilities. I can now run faster than any human alive. I'm also incredibly strong; I can literally pick up a boulder and throw it farther than you could see, and I could crush a rock to dust with a simple squeeze of my hand. My hearing is far superior to that of a human's. I can hear your heartbeat right now and how it's increased while I'm telling you these things. My vision has improved. I can see perfectly, like the veins of a leaf from across a football field."
Bella paused, her eyes distant as she recalled those initial moments of discovery. "I noticed these changes in just those first few chaotic minutes. Thank God I ran from the helicopter that came only minutes later to investigate the explosion. I'll skip over the part that I woke up completely nude. I'm pretty sure the explosion vaporized my clothes. Suffice it to say, I was running through the forest in amazement. Who wouldn't be thrilled with all those abilities? But that's when I smelled something. I had no idea what it was, but it smelled so good, and I just had to have it. I lost all rational thought and raced even faster to find it. Sadly, when my mind came back to me, I found my teeth embedded in a man's throat, and he was quite dead."
The room seemed to shrink around Renée as she heard this, her heart pounding. The details of Bella's transformation and her first moments as something other than human were almost too much to bear. She could hardly comprehend the enormity of what Bella was describing.
Bella's voice trembled slightly as she continued, "I didn't understand at first what had happened. All I knew was that the man was dead, and very soon I realized I had killed him. The smell of his blood had been overwhelming. I wasn't in my right mind—I just had to have it. Realizing what I had done, I was terrified, Mom. I didn't want to be a killer. I didn't want to hurt anyone. But the hunger was so strong; it truly was all-consuming."
Renée gasped, her eyes wide with shock. This was just too much to take in. "Bella, why did you keep all this to yourself for so long? You could have come home. I would have helped you, regardless of what had happened to you or what you had done."
Bella smiled sadly, a hint of longing in her eyes. "I know, Mom, but I couldn't come home. Those first months were so awful. Every day I needed to feed, and it wasn't like I had a choice. The hunger, when it came on, was all-consuming. If I smelled a human, I would attack regardless of whether I wanted to or not. If I had come home, I would have killed you without even knowing I was doing it. I killed so many people, Mom. I stayed in the forests and never ventured into any towns or cities. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had ever ventured into a populated area."
Renée listened intently as Bella went on to explain how during those dark months, she had broken into houses to live in and was constantly on the move, not wanting the missing persons to stack up in one area and alert the authorities to a serial killer. It was truly a horror story, and Renée's heart ached to hug Bella tightly and make everything better, but she knew she couldn't erase what had happened.
"It was several months of killing anyone I came across before I gained enough control to not kill on sight," Bella confessed, her voice heavy with the weight of her past actions. "Slowly, I worked on my control until I was finally able to go into civilization again. From that point on, I've never killed anyone who I would consider an innocent person. I've been going after criminals to satiate my thirst. Mostly drug dealers."
Bella paused, her eyes searching Renée's for understanding. "I know it's still murder, Mom, but it feels so much better than killing an innocent person. Truthfully, I think whatever I am changed how my brain rationalizes things, as I don't really mind killing. It might be like how you wouldn't mind eating a chicken. I know it's a bad analogy since I'm talking about killing a human and drinking their blood, but I'm just being honest."
"That's awful, baby. I'm so sorry you've had to go through all this." Renée felt a lump rise in her throat, the urge to cry for her baby nearly overwhelming her, but she knew she had to hold it together.
"I think I've talked enough about the horrible aspects of my new life. There is still so much to say, but I have to know: are you alright with me being here, Mom? If not, I'll understand and leave. I know what I've become might not be something you can live with." Renée watched Bella closely, noticing the guarded hope in her eyes. It was clear Bella wanted to stay but wouldn't force the issue if she couldn't handle her daughters new reality.
Renée's heart ached at the thought of Bella leaving again. She reached out, taking Bella's cold hands in her own, squeezing them tightly. "No, Bella. Don't go anywhere. I want you to stay. Please, baby. I've missed you so much."
Bella exhaled in relief, her smile widening. "I'm so happy to hear that. I've really missed you, and it's so nice to be home." Renée couldn't help but notice how breathtakingly radiant Bella looked when she smiled; her beauty was almost hard to look at directly.
Bella's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Now, enough with the horror stories. Would you like to hear about my new life? Despite all the negative things I've told you so far, there are actually many positive aspects. Each month has been better than the last, and it's come to the point where I really love this new life. Would you like to hear all about it?"
Renée felt a wave of relief wash over her. This was exactly what she needed to hear—her daughter was okay, and more than that, she had found a way to thrive. What happened to Bella hadn't broken her; it had made her stronger.
"Yes, I'd love to hear anything you want to tell me," Renée said, her voice filled with warmth and encouragement. "I have a billion questions, as you might imagine."
"I can imagine that. I would too if I were hearing a story like this." Bella smiled, then added, "Maybe you can ask me some questions, and I can work in things here and there that I know will amaze you."
Renée thought for a moment, trying to decide where to start. "You say you think you're a vampire. Other than the blood drinking, how do you know? I mean, vampires are make-believe."
Bella laughed, a sound that seemed to lighten the mood of their conversation. "You're preaching to the choir, Mom. I had those exact same thoughts. At different times, I've wondered if James and that woman were aliens, demons, or zombies and somehow they infected my DNA to turn me into what I am. James was the hottest guy I had ever seen, so clearly, I'm like him now. I guess the woman was attractive too, but it was hard to see it through all her vitriol."
Renée listened intently, absorbing every word. The idea of vampires, aliens, and demons all sounded preposterous, yet here was Bella, her daughter, speaking about it with such conviction and sincerity.
Bella continued, her tone more contemplative. "I mean, I guess I could be any of those things, and I'll never know for sure until I meet someone else like me. But it just feels like 'vampire' fits the most closely, although there are a lot of weird things about me that I've never heard in vampire stories. I'll show you in good time. Some of them are really weird."
Renée nodded, unable to contain her curiosity. "What do you like most about your new life?"
Bella smirked, a playful glint in her eye. "Hello, look at me. I'm into guys, but even I got turned on when I looked at myself in the mirror that first day." Renée laughed, the sound light and genuine, and Bella joined in. "Besides the looks, I'd have to say my abilities. They are amazing, Mom, and what I've told you about is not even scratching the surface of what I can do."
Renée watched Bella lean back on the sofa and glance out the window at the bright sun shining in, her smile widening for some reason. Bella refocused on Renée and continued, "It's been a slow journey figuring out everything. There was no handbook that came with this new body, and with no one to tell me what was possible, I've had to learn it all on my own, little by little."
Bella took a deep breath, her grin widening. "I can do things, Mom. Things with my mind. Amazing things."
Renée sat there, awestruck by what her daughter was telling her. "What sorts of things?"
Renée waited, her anticipation growing, but all Bella did was smile. That's when Renée saw it—the remote control on the coffee table was slowly lifting into the air. It hovered for a moment before it started gliding around the room like a paper airplane. Renée's eyes widened as the remote did loops and spins before gently floating in front of her. With Bella's nod of encouragement, she hesitantly grabbed it. She looked at the remote carefully, but it seemed to be normal again.
"I don't believe it. How did you do that?" Renée's voice was a mix of wonder and disbelief.
"Well, it's what I've been calling my bubble," Bella began, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "I can wrap any object in it and move it with my mind, as you just saw. But it's so much more than that. I can make it impenetrable so nothing can touch me, and I'm invulnerable to anything and everyone."
Renée watched as Bella's expression turned contemplative for a moment before she continued speaking. "I'd rather not go into some of the situations I've been in just yet, but let's just say that bullets just bounce off of it. Truthfully, my skin might be bulletproof too, but I haven't wanted to test that theory out yet. The bubble has proven to be even stronger than me. I've punched it and it wouldn't budge an inch."
Renée's mind raced, trying to grasp the enormity of what her daughter was describing.
"Would you like to feel it? It's invisible, and I've already placed it in front of you. Carefully lift your hands, and you can feel it." Bella spoke with a glint in her eye, and her happiness gave Renée the strength to hold it together despite the onslaught of things her daughter was revealing to her.
Renée lifted her hands, her fingers unsure of what she would find. As her hands rose, they suddenly came into contact with something solid yet unseen. Her eyes widened in amazement as she pressed her palms against it, feeling the unyielding, smooth surface beneath her touch. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before—neither warm nor cold, just an invisible, immovable barrier.
She moved her hands around, exploring the mysterious surface. The barrier was perfectly flat, with no texture or give, as if she were pressing against a solid block of air. No matter how hard she pushed or how much pressure she applied, it remained steadfast and immovable.
"This is incredible," Renée breathed, her voice filled with awe. She looked at Bella, who watched her with a pleased expression, her eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and joy.
Bella's smile widened. "I know, right? It still amazes me sometimes. The bubble is a part of me, and yet it feels more like an extension of my will. I've tested it in so many ways, and it's never failed me."
"Now, that was nothing, Mom. Get this one. I can fly!" The smile on Bella's face made it clear how special that was to her.
Renée's eyes widened in disbelief. "Hold up. You can fly?" She watched Bella nod, and her mind raced. My God. "Could you show me that? That is unbelievable."
"Oh, I can do better than that. How about tomorrow I show you, and I could even take you up flying with me. Would you like that?" Renée nodded enthusiastically, her excitement mirrored in Bella's widening smile. "That's good. I've never taken anyone flying before, and I know you will love it. I can also show you all my other abilities. I know you've heard me say what I can do, but I don't think it can really sink in without seeing some of these things with your own two eyes."
"That sounds great. I'd love for you to show me anything you can do." Renée was so relieved Bella was back and, with the shock of everything she had been told lessening, more questions for Bella started to bubble to the surface.
Renée and Bella talked for hours. Bella was careful not to overload her mom with too much information at once, focusing instead on sharing stories of her travels. They spoke about all the places Bella had visited and the incredible sights she had seen. Bella pulled out her phone, showing Renée countless pictures of her adventures.
The afternoon slowly transitioned into evening. The room filled with the soft glow of the setting sun, casting a warm light on everything. Renée felt her stomach growl softly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
"Bella, what happens if you eat normal food?" Renée asked, her thoughts drifting to what she could make for dinner.
Bella made a face. "It's actually sad, Mom. I remember enjoying food, and I know it should taste good, but I can't digest human food anymore. To make matters worse, it tastes awful, like I'm eating garbage. If I do swallow real food, I have to throw it up. Trust me, that first day I tried to eat a lot of real food until I realized only blood would work. But don't let that stop you from eating. If you're hungry, please make yourself some supper."
Renée nodded, but as she stood up, she glanced at Bella with concern. "But what will you do for supper?"
Bella shrugged with a half-guilty smile. "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm good. I no longer have to eat as often as when this first happened to me. I usually eat about once a week now. Actually, I overindulged before coming here. Last night, I took out three drug dealers in the rougher areas of Phoenix. I didn't want to take any chances of being hungry around you. I should be good hunger-wise for a week before I need to go out and feed again."
Renée shivered, trying to mask her discomfort. She was glad it didn't seem to bother Bella anymore, but the thought of drinking someone's blood gave her the heebie-jeebies.
While Renée ate her supper, she wanted Bella to continue sharing her stories. Her new life seemed so amazing, playing out in Renée's head like a movie rather than something actually happening to her daughter. Curious and eager to hear more, Renée asked, "Can you tell me more about what your life is like now?"
Bella thought for a moment, her grin growing wider. "Alright, well, I've also learned I can help people. It started when I saved a girl from being run over by a car in Chicago. I didn't do anything that would give my abilities away. I just pushed the car out of the way with my bubble so it didn't hit her. Realizing that I could help people, I've started thinking of ways to do good in the world using my abilities."
Bella's eyes sparkled as she continued, "One time, I came across a shootout between the police and a group of gang members. I watched from afar, but as they fired on a police officer, I could see he was going to be hit, so I put a bubble in front of him, most likely saving his life."
Renée listened, captivated by Bella's tales. In her mind, Bella was describing a superhero movie, but this was her daughter's reality, and she was the superhero.
Bella's voice took on a tone of responsibility and determination. "I want to continue helping people. I just have to figure out the best ways to do it. I'm new to all this, and sometimes my actions don't have the results I was hoping for. But I'm learning and improving with every attempt."
Renée could only shake her head in awe at hearing about her daughter's actions. "That's amazing, honey. I can't believe it. My daughter is a superhero!"
Bella laughed, a light and musical sound that seemed to fill the kitchen. "I don't think we can use that term, Mom. I've never seen Superman kill the bad guy and drink all of his blood. I think some form of vigilante who does bad things for a good purpose is more apt. But if you want to say superhero, you can."
Renée couldn't help but smile at Bella's modesty; she had never been one to easily accept a compliment.
Bella continued, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and seriousness. "I know a lot of what I can do seems to be straight out of the movies. I've actually been watching my fair share of superhero movies since this happened. They never really appealed to me in the past, but now that I can do what I can, I've been using them for tips on what are good and bad things to do. Some of the movies have been quite helpful."
After Renée had finished her dinner, Bella spoke up, her tone suddenly more serious. "I probably should have said this first, Mom, but you understand you can't tell anyone about any of this. I mean, not a soul. I've seen in those superhero movies how it never works out well for the hero when people know their secret. Actually, it works out even worse for the people who are in the know. So please, Mom, this is critical—tell no one."
Renée nodded, the weight of Bella's words sinking in. She could see the earnestness in her daughter's eyes, a plea for understanding and discretion.
Bella continued, her expression softening slightly. "I'll probably tell Charlie when I see him again, but please don't hint at anything weird regarding me over the phone if you speak to him. You know Charlie—he won't believe anything he can't see with his own two eyes."
Renée took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of Bella's request. She reached across the table and took Bella's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone, not even a hint. I promise."
With Renée done eating, they moved back to the living room to catch up some more. Bella settled onto the sofa, her legs tucked under her as she leaned in to listen. "So, tell me, Mom, what stories can you tell me that I haven't already heard over the phone?"
Renée launched into some stories, but she knew her tales couldn't compare to the extraordinary experiences Bella had shared. Still, Bella seemed genuinely interested in hearing even the little things, so Renée continued. She noticed that Bella didn't cut her off when she started talking about the latest guy she was seeing. Renée smiled, realizing that Bella had matured and gotten over some of her hangups. She wasn't even blushing... but maybe that was impossible now, given how pale she had become.
As the evening wore on, Renée felt the weight of the day settling in and yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. "This has been the most unusual day of my life, sweetie, and none of those things even happened to me. I've cleaned all your sheets, and I'm sure you'll want to get a good night's sleep before you show me all those amazing things you can do tomorrow."
Bella smiled, but it looked a little sad. "I really wish I could. But one thing I neglected to tell you is I don't sleep anymore. I haven't slept once since this happened to me. It's a shame because I miss sleeping, but not once have I ever gotten tired."
Renée didn't know what to say to that. "Oh, then what do you do with your time?"
"I usually practice with my abilities. They weren't as powerful as they are now when I first discovered them. It took a lot of hard work to get them to this point, and they're still improving. I've been spending most of my time working on them," Bella explained, her eyes lighting up with determination. "I also only went out at night to practice controlling myself around humans. Why isn't important right now. I'll tell you more about that tomorrow. Don't worry about me. Get a good night's sleep. I'll probably go to the hotel I was staying at, get my things, and check out. Don't worry, I'll be back by the time you wake up."
Renée nodded, her heart swelling with love and relief. "Okay, goodnight, baby. It's so good having you home. Thank you for sharing your new life with me."
As Renée stood up, she felt the weight of the day finally catching up with her, and she knew she would crash hard once she lay down in bed. She leaned down and gave Bella one more hug, feeling the coolness of her skin but also the strength and resilience that she now understood radiated from her daughter.
As Bella watched her mom retire to her room, she exhaled deeply and relaxed back into the sofa. The familiar feel of the cushions beneath her and the comforting warmth of being in the home she grew up in made her heart swell with happiness. It felt so good to be home again. She was relieved and grateful that her mom had accepted her, despite all the awful things she'd done. The guilt of carrying around all her dark secrets for so long had seemed to lift a little as she had unburdened herself.
A smile tugged at her lips as she listened to the familiar sounds of her mom's nighttime routine—the soft padding of her feet on the carpet, the gentle creak of the bathroom door, and the rhythmic brushing of her teeth. Bella had tried brushing her own teeth a few times, but the toothpaste had just tasted like crap, and it didn't really feel necessary. Her teeth were always perfect, another strange benefit of her new existence.
Thinking about what she was going to show her mom tomorrow made her smile widen. The anticipation of sharing her abilities filled her with excitement. She could already picture her mom's expressions—wonder, amazement, and maybe even a little disbelief. Bella knew her mom well and was certain she would love everything she had to show. The thought of flying together, demonstrating her strength, and showcasing her bubble made Bella feel like she was gearing up for something special.
I hope you all enjoyed Renée's perspective on meeting the new and improved Bella. She seemed to handle everything quite well. Before we see Bella show off her skills, though, we'll be traveling back to the year 1969. We're going to be checking in on some other Twilight characters that I think everyone will be very pleased to read about. Why, it's the Romanians, Stefan and Vladimir, the fearsome twosome! Let's all hail the once and future kings of the vampire world... just kidding.
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